If there's one thing you can really rely on to fight the ant plague, it's cinnamon. The aromatic spice, whose scent is loved by most people, is anything but pleasant for these sensitive insects. But for it to work, you have to use it correctly. How exactly does cinnamon help against ants?
Why the creepy crawlies avoid the spice
As already mentioned, it is the scent that drives away the insects or, if you use it as a preventive measure, keeps them away. There are claims that the powder kills the ants as they suffocate if you inhale it. But insect lovers can rest assured, because this is nothing more than a rumor.
And that's what the remedy doesin contrast to baking powdera better choice, because this ensures that the insects die in agony. Since ants are a nuisance but nevertheless beneficial to the environment, it is better to just get rid of them so they can do their work somewhere else.
The correct use of cinnamon against ants
There are different versions of cinnamon that you can use to your advantage. Some are better if you want to use cinnamon against ants in the garden, while others are more beneficial indoors.
Cinnamon oil to repel insects
Since it is the scent that deters the ants, it is worth choosing a product that is particularly intense and you get this with cinnamon oil because the aroma is more concentrated. How to use the oil:
- Choose 10% oil.
- Apply the cinnamon oil selectively or by spraying as desired.
For selective application:
- Dip an ear swab into the oil to soak it up.
- Use the stick to paint the “boundary lines” on the areas that the ants should not leave. Know where their entrance is, so draw a line you don't want them to cross.
- This variant is practical if you want to use cinnamon against ants in the house.
You prepare a spray as follows:
- Mix 100 ml water, 100 ml alcohol, 40 drops of cinnamon oil in a spray bottle.
- Use the product if the ants have spread to larger areas.
- This variant is particularly suitable for the garden, but you should avoid the alcohol and replace it with normal water. The alcohol basically serves as a solvent so that the other two components can be mixed together. However, without the alcohol, you must shake the product vigorously before each use.
You can also brush directly with cinnamon. How,find out here.
Cinnamon powder as a home remedy for an ant infestation
If you know where the annoying little animals are entering your house, you could first try using normal powder. This is also a possible variant if you already know from previous years where the ants appear every time.
Don't use cinnamon powder too sparingly!
- Sprinkle the cinnamon powder at the entrance.
- If instead you only see a street of ants, you should not scatter the powder along this street, but rather cross it. The transverse line should be long enough so that the ants don't just avoid each other. The insects are reluctant to stray from their roads, so they will prefer to run back rather than get lost trying to get around them.
- Do you know where the ant nest is? In this case, you can sprinkle the powder generously around it, which will ensure that sooner or later the insects will look for another place. To find the burrow, you can also trace the ant trails.
Rain washes away cinnamon remedies scattered in the garden. Therefore, you should renew it after a period of rain.
The home remedy doesn't work for you? That could be the reason
As already mentioned, cinnamon is considered a really effective remedy. However, if it doesn't work for you as hoped, it could be due to the following reasons:
- There are species of ants that are particularly sensitive to the smell of cinnamon, while others are not quite as bothered by it. Maybe your pests are exactly these.
- In order for the cinnamon smell to develop well, it should not be drowned out by other strong scents. Food smells that arise when cooking in the kitchen, for example, could do exactly that.
- To avoid overpowering odors, you should thoroughly clean the areas plagued by ants (or, ideally, the entire room). This will help you remove any food and fragrance stains that attract insects but you haven't noticed (juice on dark tiles, for example, can easily be missed).
Cover photo: eunyoung; Avocado_studio/Shutterstock
